On sunny days, its trees flower and the sun illuminates it until the end of the day. But behind its peaceful appearance, the Place de l’Armée du Rhin is declining. Feeling of insecurity, lowered curtains, unsanitary conditions. Local residents and traders have ideas to make things right.
MAKE YOURSELF HEARD– “I kissed my first lover here!” remembers Sabine, who is now enjoying her retirement. She passes by there daily, with her dog. But his outlook has changed. “I don’t even think about taking him to the park.”. And she’s not the only one: Karene, who lives opposite, can’t imagine “Absolutely not to take (at) fille of three years.
« J’en vois certains alcoholicsés ou défoncés»
What’s so wrong? For many, these are “Les personnes qui traînent” notices Djara, a schoolgirl, in the fenced square. “They are mostly men, the atmosphere seems strange. I felt it from the first time.”
Some residents are tempering. “It’s their presence that doesn’t make you want to enter, but I’ve never seen any aggression.” supports Karene. For those who run their business, on the other hand, the point of view diverges. Gilles, at the newsstand, sees them “Often steal. Before, there was even drug trafficking in front of my sign”.
Behind him, Kevin manages the beauty salon and sometimes attends “Yellings. Some even came to fight at the foot of my store ». “We mostly see them getting drunkreport Gersi and Kristau, managers of a fast-food restaurant, mimicking someone who drinks. Sometimes they use drugs, in broad daylight, in front of customers.”.
Although the situation has lasted for at least ten years, the solutions would not be « not so complicatedestimates Gilles. We must help them find work, learn French… “When I open at seven in the morning, I see some of them staggering because they are already drunk or high. It’s not a life”.
Was it better before?
But that’s not the only concern.“La place ne sert à rien”asserts Mathis who manages the tobacco bar The Gaul. “It was nicer before we closed everything with bars, défend Sarah. And there is nothing in the middle, we sit on large concrete bars on the edges. It left a big void.”.
Many compare Riquier to a « village » still attractive. Alone “The esplanade is a task. Around it, it is lively with shops, transport, schools. But around here, it’s dead.” sighs one of them.
The lack of facilities is only one reason among others: the businesses, although numerous, are the cause of nuisance. Local residents particularly disliked fast food restaurants. A catering sector which is proliferating in the neighborhood: burgers, tacos, kebabs… The sector has also been marked by the repeated closures of the controversial nightclub Monte Cristo (formerly The Palace).
Annoyed, local residents also think of their children. “There is no game”observe Sabine, the old town hall said it wanted to install a carouselrelave Gilles, but still nothing. It would be good if the news (that of Eric Ciotti) did so.”.
“It doesn’t bring any customerswhispers Jamel in his bakery. There are no families, just people with their cans and cigarettes. And the extension of the Coulée Verte will further disadvantage us.”.
“Ramener de la vie”
Despite their grievances, several Niois residents are attached to this sector and want to be optimistic. “Since they planted trees and gave more space to pedestrians, it’s more pleasant. But that was ten years ago, we should do new things.”.
« J’étais à  l’école primaire à  côté, points to Sarah, I remember, we played in the park all the time. We lost this atmosphere. We need to bring back life, like before!”
The former councilor defeated during the municipal elections, Christian Estrosi, planned the departure of a new tram line to the Place de l’Armée du Rhin. Very close to the square in front of the Palais des Arts which he intended to inaugurate, and a “Seniors’ House”, promised this winter. À Eric Ciotti, now, to present his own plan to get out of the rut.
